Additional capacity is needed from New Jersey, but if it feeds into the existing tracks, it has to use the existing platforms. As it was explained to me, the existing platforms in Penn Station lack the capacity for more traffic. The platforms are narrow, and the stairs and escalators are limited in their ability to move people out. The trains have to stay in the station while people leave, and that takes time.

That leaves two options. Build a new lower level under the existing one (good luck moving those people through the existing tracks and platforms,) or build new platforms that can accommodate the passengers.

The second choice was chosen.

In addition, although not part of the current funding, the chosen alignment would allow for a loop to be built. This would include stations under Madison Ave. by Grand Central Station, 50th and 7th, and 41st and 11th. You can read about this here:http://www.rpa.org/pdf/RPAARCandNYCReport.pdf

Also, there could be an extension south of 34th St to Lower Manhattan, but that is probably wishful thinking considering how much these things cost.

]]>By: TCBhttp://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/new-jersey-transit-to-approve-tunneling-contract/comment-page-1/#comment-581891
Fri, 11 Dec 2009 06:42:05 +0000http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/new-jersey-transit-to-approve-tunneling-contract/#comment-581891The article fails to say, that the tunnel is also for Amtrak. Which owns the tunnels, and rail line, leading into Penn Station. When the third tunnel is finally open one day, there should no longer be any delays in or out of the station.
]]>By: JAMES FMhttp://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/new-jersey-transit-to-approve-tunneling-contract/comment-page-1/#comment-581859
Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:28:04 +0000http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/new-jersey-transit-to-approve-tunneling-contract/#comment-581859This project could not have come at a better time for the union constrution workers in the NY & NJ locals.
]]>By: Russell Whttp://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/new-jersey-transit-to-approve-tunneling-contract/comment-page-1/#comment-581109
Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:30:14 +0000http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/new-jersey-transit-to-approve-tunneling-contract/#comment-581109@#14″The new lines will terminate at the Manhattan Water Tunnel, unable to continue east. ”

According to the top NJT engineer, this is not the case. NYC won’t allow construction east of the existing project until AFTER Water Tunnel #3 is finished, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t happen someday.

“Ideally, Penn Station and Grand Central should be connected. ”

This seems rather pointless as the Park Ave. RoW is out of capacity.

]]>By: Bolo Junglehttp://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/new-jersey-transit-to-approve-tunneling-contract/comment-page-1/#comment-580565
Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:43:33 +0000http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/new-jersey-transit-to-approve-tunneling-contract/#comment-580565FTA: “It will stretch from the west side of the New Jersey Palisades to a station under 34th Street, near Macy’s flagship store.” Why wouldn’t it just blend into the tracks already fanning out to and from Penn Station? Isn’t the intent to relieve congestion in that context? Can any engineering types explain for me?
]]>By: Borishttp://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/new-jersey-transit-to-approve-tunneling-contract/comment-page-1/#comment-580191
Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:54:40 +0000http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/new-jersey-transit-to-approve-tunneling-contract/#comment-580191Maybe the article is New York-centric, but the tunnel is all about New Jersey. The placement of the new station is such that it will bring the maximum benefit to NJ commuters working in NY, and the minimum benefit to everyone else, including non-commuter New Jerseyans. The new lines will terminate at the Manhattan Water Tunnel, unable to continue east.

What we really need, in terms of metropolitan-area mobility, is the ability to through-run trains. There should be one-seat rides between NJ and Long Island and Connecticut. Ideally, Penn Station and Grand Central should be connected. In Philadelphia they realized the benefits of through-running and made the connection back in the 80’s, providing for a cheaper and much more efficient system than what we have here in New York.

]]>By: Georgehttp://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/new-jersey-transit-to-approve-tunneling-contract/comment-page-1/#comment-579891
Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:05:22 +0000http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/new-jersey-transit-to-approve-tunneling-contract/#comment-579891Given the length of time to bore the tunnel, finish the walls, lay the tracks, install the signalling, construct the platforms, waiting areas, ticketing booths, ingress and egress points – I don’t think one would say that NJ commuters are on the “verge” of gaining additional access to Manhattan.

Granting NJ Transit constructs this tunnel with all speed – it is a massive infrastructure undertaking that will likely take almost a decade to complete.

Using terms like “verge” only feeds the naysayers on these blogs who – having zero understanding of complex engineering projects – nonetheless will blather on with cynical commentary.

]]>By: Cat Stokerhttp://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/new-jersey-transit-to-approve-tunneling-contract/comment-page-1/#comment-579877
Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:47:49 +0000http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/new-jersey-transit-to-approve-tunneling-contract/#comment-579877EricF … It’s not even clear that it would be possible to widen the Eastern & Western Spurs of the Turnpike. Environmental regs ain’t what they used to be.
]]>By: Perley J. Thibodeauhttp://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/new-jersey-transit-to-approve-tunneling-contract/comment-page-1/#comment-579861
Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:22:53 +0000http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/new-jersey-transit-to-approve-tunneling-contract/#comment-57986110:
Or S. Klein on The Square!
]]>By: Mikehttp://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/new-jersey-transit-to-approve-tunneling-contract/comment-page-1/#comment-579813
Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:07:52 +0000http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/new-jersey-transit-to-approve-tunneling-contract/#comment-579813To paraphrase a comment made about the Brooklyn Bridge when it opened… all that money and all it gets you to is Macy’s.
]]>By: Eric Fhttp://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/new-jersey-transit-to-approve-tunneling-contract/comment-page-1/#comment-579779
Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:24:09 +0000http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/new-jersey-transit-to-approve-tunneling-contract/#comment-579779This project has been overdue for over a generation. It’s unfortunate that the ‘stimulus’ monies that have been sloshing around governments couldn’t be used to fully fund and expedite this project. A project like this will improve the quality of life of our people and the pridcutiva capacity of the economy to an extent far greater than much of the nonsense that is being funded.

I’d also note that this project is costing way more than it would cost to widen the Turnpike extensions, which could actually self-fund. Too bad we aren’t doing this type of enhancement as well.

First Specofications had to be drawn up, then an environmental impact statement written (along with the attendent bribes etc) Bids must placed so that a $.5 screw will becomw a $5000 “rotary attachment stud. and then someday long after I have departed this world MAYBE just MAYBE trains will run.

On the other hand my model railroad was up and running in 20 minutes LOL

]]>By: Billhttp://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/new-jersey-transit-to-approve-tunneling-contract/comment-page-1/#comment-579735
Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:58:51 +0000http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/new-jersey-transit-to-approve-tunneling-contract/#comment-579735For anyone who has endured the 30-45 minute, 9 mile rush hour crawl between Newark and New York, the tunnel project is long overdue. The metropolitan area has ignored our transportation infrastructure for too long, and this is a great step toward correcting nearly fifty years of shortsightedness.
]]>